Welcome to UMA’s 2025–26 Academic Theme Guide

The University of Maine at Augusta’s Colloquium Committee has selected Civil Rights as our Academic Theme for the 2025–26 academic year. This theme invites our entire community to engage with questions of justice, equity, voice, and participation across disciplines and experiences.

This guide offers a starting point for exploring the civil rights theme, both in the classroom and beyond. Here you’ll find:

• Background on the theme and its significance
• Resources related to this year’s book: Walking with the Wind by John Lewis
• Articles, books, media, and tools organized by academic discipline
• Events, engagement opportunities, and local connections

Whether you're reading about past social movements, analyzing present-day policy, or imagining more equitable futures, we invite you to use this guide to support your coursework, spark critical conversations, and inspire meaningful action.

"Get in the way. Get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble." — John Lewis